Drying apparatus for garments and linen

ABSTRACT

A drying apparatus for garments and linen, including a supporting element delimiting a containment internal volume and defines an access opening thereto, at least one drying rack element connected to the supporting element, a ventilation assembly associated with the supporting element. The drying apparatus is movable between an operating configuration and a non-operating configuration. In the operating configuration, the drying apparatus defines a drying volume, towards which the ventilation unit is configured to generate an air flow and in which at least one drying rack element is configured to support garments and linen. In the non-operating configuration, where the drying apparatus has minimum encumbrance, the drying apparatus disengages at least partially the drying volume and the at least one drying rack element lies internally to the internal volume.

The present invention relates to the field of household laundryequipment. In particular, the present invention relates to a dryingapparatus for garments and linen.

The drying of clothing and other fabrics after washing is a process thathas been carried out for a very long time.

The most popular household systems are still making use of the naturalevaporation of water in fabrics exposed to ambient temperature andhumidity conditions. Natural drying apparatuses essentially includefree-standing, wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted drying racks.Free-standing solutions usually support clothes with clotheslinesattached to a frame at both ends, while ceiling-mounted solutions mostlyuse rods supported by cables that allow for height adjustment. Bothsolutions are used in the wall-mounted variants.

In general, the drawback of a free-standing drying rack is a reducedspace efficiency with respect to the wall-mounted or ceiling-mounteddrying racks. This drawback is however counterbalanced by the advantageof being easier to dismantle and/or to move than the wall-mounted andceiling-mounted solutions.

Despite the undoubted advantage of simplicity, natural dryingapparatuses have rather long and uncertain drying times, because theydepend on environmental conditions. They also increase the humidity inthe environment in which they are located, causing potential problemssuch as unhealthy premises, unpleasant smells, as well as risks ofinfiltration, mould and other surface damages due to humidity. All theseproblems are exacerbated when drying takes place in small to mediumpremises.

Another known high diffusion system consists of dryers and other closedhot air systems, in which the fabrics are placed in an insulatedenvironment and then flooded with hot air. While these systemssignificantly reduce drying times and solve problems related to humidityand unpleasant smells, they also pose a new range of problems. Thesehousehold appliances are indeed expensive, bulky and noisy. They alsohave a high energy consumption and risk damaging or ruining the mostdelicate garments.

Other known solutions are hanging out cloths on heated supports,hydraulically or by means of electrical resistances. These solutionsmarginally improve the drying speed of traditional drying racks, but donot solve the problems related to humidity and smells described aboveand create the additional drawback of uneven fabric drying.

In addition, devices have been developed that combine traditional dryingracks with fans or other devices in order to generate an air flow to thegarments to promote thermal convection and evaporation of humidity. Insome variants they also have resistances to heat said air flow.

As with traditional natural drying systems, these devices have beendeveloped for free-standing, ceiling-mounted and wall-mounted solutions.Disadvantageously, these apparatuses have the same problems of humidityrelease and foul smells mentioned in relation to natural systems. Inaddition, these drying rack apparatuses disperse a large part of theheat transferred to the air into the environment, thus resulting inthermodynamically inefficient performances and potentially unwantedenvironment heating.

Disadvantageously again, the addition of ventilation and/or heatingsystems to traditional drying racks has, in the disclosed embodiments,the drawback of affecting their versatility and worsen their aesthetics,when they are not in use, especially for wall-mounted andceiling-mounted solutions.

In this context, the technical purpose of the present invention is todevise a drying apparatus for garments and linen that overcomes at leastsome of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the known art.

In particular, the aim of the present invention is to provide a dryingapparatus for garments and linen, which can reduce the drying times offabrics.

Another aim of the present invention is to provide a drying apparatuswith increased versatility compared to known apparatuses, with a reducedencumbrance when not in use.

In addition, the present invention aims to provide a drying apparatusthat can reduce moisture and smells resulting from fabric drying.

The above technical purpose and specified aims are substantiallyachieved with a drying apparatus for garments and linen, comprising thetechnical characteristics disclosed in one or more of the appendedclaims. The drying apparatus comprises a supporting element, preferablya box-shaped body, which can be mounted on a wall. The supportingelement delimits a containment internal volume and defines an accessopening thereto.

The drying apparatus also comprises at least one drying rack element,connected to the supporting element. Preferably, the drying apparatuscomprises a plurality of drying rack elements; according to anembodiment there are five drying rack elements. Preferably, at least oneof the drying rack elements is a clothesline or drying rack rod. In atleast one embodiment, each drying rack element of the drying apparatusis a drying rack rod.

The drying apparatus also comprises a ventilation assembly associatedwith the supporting element.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the drying apparatusis movable between an operating configuration and a non-operatingconfiguration.

In the operating configuration, or drying configuration, the dryingapparatus defines a drying volume. Preferably, in the operatingconfiguration, the ventilation assembly is configured to generate an airflow towards the drying volume. Also in the operational configuration,at least one drying rack element, preferably each drying rack element,is configured to support garments and linen in the drying volume.

Advantageously, in the non-operating configuration, or minimumencumbrance configuration, the drying apparatus disengages at leastpartially the drying volume. Preferably, in the operating configuration,at least one drying rack element lies internally to the internal volume.

Preferably, at least one drying rack element can be moved through theaccess opening of the supporting element between a retracted positionand an extracted position. Preferably, each drying rack element can bemoved between the retracted position and the extracted position.

Preferably, the retracted position of the drying rack elementscorresponds to the non-operating configuration of the drying apparatus.In the retracted position, at least one drying rack element, preferablyeach drying rack element, lies internally to the internal volume of thesupporting element. In the extracted position, at least one drying rackelement, preferably each drying rack element is placed externally to theinternal volume (V) of the supporting element, preferably at a lowerlevel than the retracted position, to allow an application and a removalof garments and linen on and from the drying rack elements.

Preferably, at least one drying rack element is further movable to adrying position, intermediate between a retracted position and saidextracted position in a manner that allows to support said garments andlinen in said drying volume. In a particular embodiment, each dryingrack element can be moved in the drying position. Preferably, the dryingposition of the drying rack elements corresponds to the non-operatingposition of the drying apparatus.

Preferably, the drying apparatus comprises resistive elements associatedto the ventilation assembly to heat the air flow generated by saidventilation assembly.

Preferably, the drying apparatus comprises an air dehumidificationelement facing the drying volume.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the drying apparatuscomprises at least one shutter, movable between a closed position, inwhich it occludes the access opening, and an open position, in which itdisengages the access opening. In particular, each shutter is in theclosed position when the drying apparatus is in the non-operatingconfiguration and in the open position when the drying apparatus is inthe operating configuration.

Probably, the drying apparatus comprises at least two shutters, inparticular exactly two, pivoted on opposite sides to the supportingelement to rotate, counter rotating, from said closed position, whereinthey result aligned and overlapping, and said open position, whereinthey result opposed and facing to each other.

Preferably, each of the two shutters in the closed position occludeshalf of the access opening.

Preferably, each shutter shows a streamlined development starting froman enlarged portion, proximal to a hinge linking to a supportingelement, until a terminal tapered portion so that, in the closedposition, each terminal tapered portion of a shutter is overlapping toan enlarged portion of the other shutter.

Preferably, each shutter is associated with the ventilation assembly toreceive the air flow and defines internally a duct having an outputsection.

Preferably, each shutter presents an internal face which, in the openposition faces toward the drying volume, on the top of which said outputsection is formed to direct said air flow toward said drying volume.

Preferably, the above-mentioned ventilation assembly comprises at leastone fan housed internally to said duct within said shutter to originatesaid air flow.

Preferably, the ventilation assembly comprises a fan for each shutter.In particular, each fan is housed in a linking portion between theshutter and the supporting element.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the dryingapparatus comprises a delimiting element, movable between an extendedposition and a retracted position.

Preferably, the delimiting element in the extended position envelops thedrying volume laterally. Preferably, the extended position of thedelimiting element corresponds to the non-operating configuration of thedrying apparatus. Preferably, the retracted position of the delimitingelement corresponds to the non-operating configuration of the dryingapparatus.

Preferably, the delimiting element comprises a folding sheet, foldableinto four. Preferably, the folding sheet is folded into four when thedelimiting element is in the retracted position. Preferably, the foldingsheet is extended when the delimiting element is in the extendedposition.

Preferably, the delimiting element comprises a lower closing element,configured to occlude the drying volume at the bottom, when thedelimiting element is in the extended position. Preferably, the lowerclosing element is configured to occlude below the internal volume ofthe supporting element when the drying apparatus is in a non-operatingconfiguration.

Preferably, the delimiting element is connected to a lower portion ofthe folding sheet.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent from the description that follows of a preferredand non-exclusive embodiment of a drying apparatus for garments andlinen, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1A in adifferent operating configuration;

FIG. 1C shows a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1B in aconfiguration of use;

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to adifferent embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2A in adifferent operating configuration;

la FIG. 2C shows a sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 2B in aconfiguration of use;

FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a drying apparatus according to adifferent embodiment according to the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3A in adifferent operating configuration;

FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3B in aconfiguration of use.

With reference to the Figures, a drying apparatus for garments and linenis generally indicated with 1.

According to the invention, the drying apparatus 1 is movable between anon-operating configuration, where the drying apparatus has minimumencumbrance, and an operating drying configuration. The non-operatingconfiguration is illustrated in the different embodiments in FIGS. 1A,2A and 3A, while the operating configuration is illustrated in thedifferent embodiments in FIGS. 1C, 2C, and 3C.

The drying apparatus 1 comprises a supporting element 10, preferablyconsisting of a box-shaped body delimiting a internal containment volume“V”. Preferably, the supporting element 10 can be mounted on a wall orceiling so that the drying apparatus 1 can be operated in that position.Preferably, the supporting element 10 defines an access opening 12 tothe aforementioned internal volume “V”, more preferably at a side whichis different (preferably opposite) from the attachment side to said wallor ceiling. With reference to the attached figures, the access opening12 to the internal volume “V” is located on a lower surface of thesupporting element 10.

The drying apparatus 1 also comprises at least one drying rack element15, preferably more than one, connected to the supporting element 10.The drying rack elements 15 are supports for garments and linen, inparticular clotheslines or drying rack rods 16. The embodiment comprisesfive drying rack rods 16 connected to the supporting element 10 by meansof supporting cables 17.

Advantageously, the drying rack elements 15 are movable through theopening 12 between a retracted position and an extracted position (FIGS.1B, 1C, 2B, 2C, 3B, 3C), preferably vertically mobile by moving thesupporting cables 17.

In the retracted position, the drying rack elements 15 lie internally tothe internal volume “V” of the supporting element 10. This position ofthe drying rack elements 15 corresponds to the non-operatingconfiguration of the drying apparatus 1.

In the extracted position, the drying rack elements 15 are placedexternally to the internal volume “V” of the supporting element 10,preferably at a lower level than the retracted position, to allow anapplication and a removal of garments and linen on and from the dryingrack elements 15. Advantageously, the drying rack elements 15 arefurther movable to a drying position, intermediate between a retractedposition and the extracted position, so as to support said garments andlinen in a position suitable for drying them. This position of thedrying rack elements 15 corresponds to the operating configuration ofthe drying apparatus 1.

In a first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 2C, the dryingapparatus 1 comprises at least one shutter 20 movable between a closedposition and an open position, in which it disengages the opening.Preferably, the shutter 20 is pivoted to the supporting element 10, inparticular by means of a hinge 22 or more coaxial hinges 22.

In particular, the closed position of the shutter 20 corresponds to thenon-operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1 and the openposition of the shutter 20 corresponds to the operating configuration ofthe drying apparatus 1.

In the preferred embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises two shutters 20pivoted on opposite sides to the supporting element 10.

The shutters 20 are rotationally movable, preferably mutually counterrotating, around the hinges 22 between the closed position, in whichthey occlude the access opening 12 to the internal volume “V” of thesupporting element 10, and the open position, in which they disengagesaid opening 12.

Preferably, in the closed position, the shutters 20 are aligned and/oroverlapping each other. In an embodiment, the shutters 20, in the closedposition, are aligned and each of them occludes a part of the opening12. With reference to FIGS. 1A to 1C, each shutter 20 occludes half ofthe opening 12.

With reference to the same embodiment, in the open position shutters 20result facing and opposite each other.

Each shutter 20 has an internal face 24 facing, in an open position,towards the drying rack elements 15 arranged in the drying position and,in a closed position, towards the internal volume “V”. Each shutter 20also defines internally a duct having an output section 26 at said innerface 24.

Preferably, each shutter 20 houses a fan 30 in the above-mentioned duct,so as to generate an air flow when the drying apparatus 1 is in theoperating configuration. Preferably, each shutter 20 houses resistiveelements 32 along the aforementioned air flow, configured to heat it.

In particular, the set of ducts, fans 30 and resistive elements,configured to move and/or heat the air flow of the drying apparatus 1,forms a ventilation assembly of the aforementioned drying apparatus 1.In non illustrated embodiments, the ventilation assembly is partiallyinstalled on the supporting element 10 and the air flow is directed tothe inner face 24 of the shutters 20 by means of ducts.

In use, the air flows generated by each fan 30 flow through therespective duct inside the corresponding shutter 20 and protrude fromthe respective output section 26.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 2C, the output sections 26of the two shutters 20 in the open position are opposite to each other,and define output directions from the respective incident ducts.

In the operating configuration, the drying apparatus 1 defines a dryingvolume “A” at the space portion hit by the above-mentioned air flows.

In particular, in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 2C, thedrying volume “A” is defined by the volume operatively hitsimultaneously by the air flow coming from one shutter 20 and from theair flow coming from the other one.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1C, each shutter identifies atrapezoidal cross section volume having the shorter base at fan 30 andan axis perpendicular to the shutter 20. The drying volume ‘A’ isdefined by the intersection of the truncated cones corresponding to eachshutter 20. Preferably, the above-mentioned drying position of thedrying rack elements 15 is configured to arrange any garment and/orlinen they support within the drying volume “A”.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2C, each shutter 20 has astreamlined development from an enlarged portion 21 a, proximal tohinges 22, until a terminal tapered portion 21 b so that, in the closedposition, one shutter 20 is overlapping to the other, against saidhinges. In particular, each terminal tapered portion 21 b of a shutter20 configured in this way overlaps the enlarged portion 21 a of theother shutter 20 (FIG. 2A). Advantageously, this structure allows theshutter 20 to fold over each other in the closed position. In this way,for the same width of the supporting element 10, the drying apparatus 1can be provided with shutters 20, which allow a better diffusion of theair flow on the drying volume “A”. Preferably, in this embodiment, thefan 30 is housed in a linking portion between the shutter 20 and thesupporting element 10.

According to a further aspect of the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 3Ato 3C, the drying apparatus 1 comprises a delimiting element 39,connected to the supporting element 10 and movable between a extendedposition (FIGS. 3B to 3C) and a retracted position (FIG. 3A).

The extended position of the delimiting element 39 corresponds to theoperating configuration of the drying apparatus 1, in this position thedelimiting element 39 envelops the drying volume “A” laterally. In otherwords, according to the present embodiment, the drying volume “A” isperipherally delimited by the delimiting element 39.

The retracted position of the delimiting element 39 corresponds to thenon-operating configuration of the drying apparatus 1; in this positionthe delimiting element 39 provides lateral access to the supportingelements 15.

In particular, the above-mentioned drying position of the drying rackelements 15 is configured to arrange any garment and/or linen theysupport within the drying volume “A”.

Preferably, the delimiting element 39 comprises a folding sheet 40,connected to the supporting element 10, preferably at the opening 12.

Preferably, the folding sheet 40 is folded into four when the delimitingelement 39 is in the retracted position and is extended when thedelimiting element 39 is in the extended position.

Preferably, the delimiting element 39 in the retracted position iscontained, at least partially, in the containment internal volume ‘V’ oris collected at the opening 12 of said internal volume ‘V’.

Preferably, the delimiting element 39 comprises a closing element 42connected to a lower portion of the folding sheet 40. In particular, theclosing element 42 is configured to occlude the drying volume “A” below,when the folding sheet 40 is in the extended position.

Advantageously, when the drying apparatus 1 is in operatingconfiguration, the drying volume “A” is delimited laterally by thefolding sheet 40, at the top by the supporting element 10 and at thebottom by the closing element 42.

The supporting element 10 comprises at least a fan 30, housed in theinternal volume ‘V’, so arranged as to generate an air flow when thedrying apparatus 1 is in its operating configuration and to direct saidair flow towards the drying volume “A”.

In the illustrated embodiment, the drying apparatus 1 comprises two ofsaid fans 30.

Preferably, each fan 30 is associated with resistive elements 32 alongthe aforementioned resulting air flow, which are configured to heat it.

Preferably, the drying apparatus 1 comprises a dehumidification element34 facing the drying volume “A”, configured to remove humid air from thedrying volume “A” and restore the level of humidity. In the illustratedembodiment, the dehumidification element 34 is supported by thesupporting element 10 and is configured to absorb humid air from thedrying volume “A” and release dehumidified air outside the drying volume“A”.

The present invention achieves the proposed aim, overcoming thedrawbacks in the known art.

In fact, since the drying apparatus 1 is movable between an operatingand a non-operating position, it increases the versatility compared tothe known art, thus reducing the encumbrance in the non-operating phase.In addition, the drying action caused by fans, resistive elements anddehumidification element reduces the drying times and the release ofmoisture and smells resulting from the drying of garments and linen.

1. A drying apparatus for garments and linen, comprising: a supportingelement which can be mounted on a wall, wherein the supporting elementdelimits a containment internal volume and defines an access opening tosaid internal volume; at least one drying rack element connected to saidsupporting element; a ventilation assembly associated with thesupporting element; wherein said drying apparatus is movable between anoperating configuration and a non-operating configuration, wherein inthe operating configuration, said drying apparatus defines a dryingvolume, the ventilation assembly is configured to generate an air flowtowards said drying volume and said at least one drying rack element isconfigured to support garments and linen in said drying volume, andwherein in the non-operating configuration, where the drying apparatushas minimum encumbrance, said drying apparatus disengages at leastpartially said drying volume and said at least one drying rack elementlies internally to said internal volume.
 2. The drying apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one drying rack element ismovable through said opening between a retracted position, wherein saidat least drying rack element lies internally to the internal volume ofthe supporting element, and an extracted position, wherein said at leastone drying rack element is placed externally to the internal volume ofthe supporting element to allow an application and a removal of garmentsand linen on and from said at least one drying rack element.
 3. Thedrying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said at least one dryingrack element is further movable to a drying position, intermediatebetween a retracted position and said extracted position in a mannerthat allows to support said garments and linen in said drying volume. 4.The drying apparatus according to claim 1, comprising, alternatively ortogether, the following elements: resistive elements associated to theventilation assembly to heat the air flow generated by said ventilationassembly; an air dehumidification element facing said drying volume. 5.The drying apparatus according to claim 1, comprising at least onemovable shutter, between a closed position, wherein said at least oneshutter occludes said access opening, and an open position, wherein saidat least one shutter disengages said access opening, said at least oneshutter being in a closed position when the drying apparatus is in anon-operating configuration and in open position when the dryingapparatus is in an operating configuration.
 6. The drying apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein each shutter is associated with theventilation assembly to receive its air flow and defines internally aduct having an output section; said shutter presenting an internal side,in open position being facing toward the drying volume, on the top ofwhich said output section is formed to direct said air flow toward saiddrying volume.
 7. The drying apparatus according to claim 6, whereinsaid ventilation assembly includes at least one fan housed internally tosaid duct to originate said air flow.
 8. The drying apparatus accordingto claim 7, wherein said ventilation assembly includes a fan for eachshutter, said fan being housed in a linking portion between said shutterand said supporting element.
 9. The drying apparatus according to claim5, comprising at least two shutters pivoted on opposite sides to thesupporting element to rotate, counter rotating, from said closedposition, wherein they result aligned and overlapping, and said openposition, wherein they result opposed and facing to each other.
 10. Thedrying apparatus according to claim 9, wherein each shutter shows astreamlined development starting from an enlarged portion, proximal to ahinge linking to a supporting element, until a terminal tapered portionso that, in said closed position, each terminal tapered portion of ashutter is overlapping to an enlarged position of the other shutter. 11.The drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said at least onedrying rack element is movable through said opening between a retractedposition, wherein said at least drying rack element lies internally tothe internal volume of the supporting element, and an extractedposition, wherein said at least one drying rack element is placedexternally to the internal volume of the supporting element, at a lowerlevel than a retracted position, to allow an application and a removalof garments and linen on and from said at least one drying rack element.12. The drying apparatus according to claim 6, comprising at least twoshutters pivoted on opposite sides to the supporting element to rotate,counter rotating, from said closed position, wherein they result alignedand overlapping, and said open position, wherein they result opposed andfacing to each other.
 13. The drying apparatus according to claim 12,wherein each shutter shows a streamlined development starting from anenlarged portion, proximal to a hinge linking to a supporting element,until a terminal tapered portion so that, in said closed position, eachterminal tapered portion of a shutter is overlapping to an enlargedposition of the other shutter.